BT faces compensation demand after broadband outage hits service in Sheffield and Leeds

BT WAS facing demands to compensate broadband users today after an outage to its service left many users in Sheffield and Leeds unable to access the internet.

The UK’s biggest internet provider said around one in ten users, including many in Sheffield and Leeds, were affected by “power issues” at one of its internet connection partners’ sites in London.

BT said some customers of its subsidiary company, Sheffield-based Plusnet, were also affected.

A spokesman said: “The issue has now been fixed and services have been restored.”

Problems began to be reported in several areas at around 9.30am, and the website Down Detector received thousands of reports from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Bristol, Nottingham and Leicester.

Also yesterday, Plusnet announced it was increasing some of its prices.

Consumer group Which? called for compensation for those affected by the outage.

Director of policy and campaigns Alex Neill said: “Many people now view broadband as an essential service so it’s only right that consumers are automatically compensated when their service is lost, as it has been for many BT customers today.

“The Government must push forward with the Digital Economy Bill to give broadband customers this right as soon as possible.”